LEEDS: Working towards a city for all ages to ensure the elderly population are able to change with the times and be involved, socially engaged, independent and happy.

20 May 2016

Being an independent senior, living in a big city perhaps some distance from family, can be a lonely situation. It’s not as easy to get about, the hustle and bustle can be stressful and somewhat daunting to the point of potentially isolating one’s self for the fear of the unknown.

Times have changed and quite dramatically in the last decade but what have we done as a nation, no, what have we done as a city to ensure the elderly population are able to change with the times and be involved, socially engaged, independent and happy?

Leeds Older People’s forum, LOPF, is an independent organisation which promotes the well-being of all seniors aged 65+ within the city to ensure a more powerful voice for older people in shaping its future.

Established in 1994 LOPF has grown a city wide membership of over 100 voluntary sector organisations, including 35 Neighbourhood Networks Schemes, all of which work together with the aim of increasing an older persons quality of life, help, advise and support them to live independently & pro-actively and increase engagement, involvement and participation within their local communities.

In order to help meet their aim Leeds Older Peoples Forum set yearly overarching priorities which focus on a handful of key areas which the voluntary sector organisations help them achieve with the core concentration remaining on independence & involvement.

Having recently set their priorities for 2016 / 2017, as referenced below, the forum and their members can now being work on providing adequate and relevant services and implement other initiatives with consistency and direction.

Priorities:

• Health issues related to older people: including a focus on dementia and social isolation.
• Housing and older people
• Hospital discharges
• Monitoring the effects of cuts to services for older people; including increases in charges for care; changes to welfare benefits and pensions & hospital discharges

The 35 Neighbourhood Network Schemes are of particular interest when it comes to supporting the aim’s, meeting the objectives and driving the priorities.

Established with the same focus these urban hubs of support are at a local level enabling them to provide a personal service with regards to providing support, motivating members, providing opportunities to enhance, engage & enjoy life and provide the value of older people in these hot spot community areas of the local district.

Although detailed activities and provided services can vary depending on the area it’s pretty consistent across the board and involves both personal care services and group / befriending activities. These include:

Personal Care:	Group Activities & Befriending Initiatives:
Independent Living Services	Lunch Clubs & Restaurant Meets
Care Services	Cinema & Book Club
Home Visits	Exercise Classes
Health Appointments & Travel	Group Excursions
	Arts & Crafts
	Games Night
	Baking Club

For more information on what your Neighbourhood Support Network has to offer and how they can help you remain independent and increase your involvement within your local community we would urge you to contact the group directly. Below is a map & list detailing where these groups are. Alternatively the enclosed PDF list’s all contacts, addresses & emails for the following 35 Networks. Click here to open the full list.

1. Action for Gipton Elderly	19. Middleton Elderly Aid
2. Aireborough Voluntary Services (AVSED)	20. Moor Allerton Elderly Care (MAECare)
3. Armley Helping Hands	21. Morley Elderly Action
4. Belle Isle Elderly Winter Aid	22. Neighbourhood Action in Farnely & Moor Top
5. Bramley Elderly Action	23. Neighbourhood Elders Team Garforth
6. Burmantofts Senior Action	24. North Seacroft Good Neighbours
7. Caring Together in Woodhouse & Little London	25. Older Peoples Action in Locality (OPAL)
8. Chapel Allerton Good Neighbours	26. Older Wiser Local Seniors (OWL)
9. Community Action Roundhay Elderly (CARE)	27. Otley Action for Older People
10. Cross Fates & District Good Neighbours Scheme	28. Pudsey Live at Home Scheme
11. Farsley Live at Home	29. Richmond Hill Elderly Action (RHEA)
12. Halton Moor & Osmondthorpe Project (HOPE)	30. Rothwell & District Live at Home
13. Hamara Healthy Living	31. South Leeds Live at Home
14. Hawksworth Older Peoples Support (HOPS)	32. South Seacroft Friends & Neighbours Scheme
15. Holbeck Elderly Aid	33. Supporting the Elderly People (STEP)
16. Horsforth Live at Home	34. Swarcliffe Good Neighbours Scheme
17. Leeds Blacks Elders Assosiation	35. Wetherby in Support of the Elderly (WISE)
18. Meanwood Elders Neighbourhood Action (MENA)

It is unfortunate that with not being a non-profit, voluntary organisation, we are unable to qualify for membership within the Leeds Older Peoples Forum as their focus and concertation around housing, independent living and adequate adaptations is something as a company is close to our hearts as also strive to achieve better, more independent living.

Recent statistics indicate that approximately 90% of older people live in general housing; 5% live in specialist housing provision and a further 5% in residential or nursing care. Nearly 75% of older people are homeowners.

Unfortunately housing conditions have a direct link to health and wellbeing – something as a company we deal with day in & day out with regards to home improvements & adaptations. Poor or unsuitable housing increases the risks of hospital admissions and readmissions and G.P. visits, and places additional pressures on social care funding for residential care. Which is why we suspect this is one of the main priorities on this year’s LOPF agenda.

Although we are unable to become members we are here to offer free help & advice to anyone thinking of adapting their home. MoreAbility, part of the Passmore Group, is Yorkshires leading and most experienced bath & shower room specialist for all types of stylish, safe & practical and bespoke bathroom solutions. Offering a fully project managed design & installation service we pride ourselves on meeting individual wants and needs.

For any further assistance please get in touch call a friendly member of the team on 0113 201 5030, whether this to explore what we do, request additional information, enquiry about brochures or book a free consultation – were here to help every step of the way.

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